Captive airship mechanism.



V'. c. DE YBARRONDO.

' cAPTIvB msm? MBQHANISM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1909.

SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v. G. DE Ylsmfumnno.v f

GAPTIYB AIBSHIP MBGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1909.

73,3 .e Y Patented o@t.18,1910.

Vtion and relative arrangement of parts,

nonno, a citizen of the Ition, partly broken away VINCENT C. DE YBARRONDG, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CAPTIVE .AIEtS-IIPv MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. i8, i910.

Application filed June 14, 1909. Serial No. 502,168.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, VINCENT C. Dn YBAR- United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Captive Airship Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to air-ships, and more particularly to captive air-ship mechanism comprising one or more air-ships and means for sustaining or suspendrng the same for movement within the limits of a predetermined course of travel.

The invention has for its object to provide mechanism of the character set forth which will be superior with respect to the useful, entertaining, instructive and pleas urable nature of its operation, which will be positive and safe in operation and convenient in. control, and which will be generally superior in point of serviceability and efficiency in carrying outv the objects for which it is designed and adapted.

The invention consists in the novel provision, construction, combination, associa' all as hereinafter demembers and features,

and finally scribed, shown on the drawings, pointed out in claims.

In the drawings z-Figure .1 is an elevafor clearness of illustration, of captive air-ship mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail longitudinal side view, partly in section and partly brokenaway, of one of the air-ships utilized in carrying out the invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, of means for sustaining the air-ships and for controlling the movement thereof; and, Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, and taken in a plane of vision at right angles to that of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is in the main a section taken upon the line 3-3, Fig. 4.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters. y

Referring with particularity to the draw ings, A and B designate air-ships organized for operation and control according toy the invention, and C designates means for supporting or sustaining the same; said latter means comprising a tower or upright I) embodying the invention, as

and a transverse member d disposedwat the upper portion of said tower or upright and from which the air-ships are directly susl pended by suspension means In the drawings but two of 'the air-shi s a1edis closed, one of the same, namely t ie air-ship B, being shown as provided with operatin means or propulsion means E. The lsai propulsion means serve not only to impel the air ship provided with the same throughl the course predetermined by the suspension means D and the transverse member d; but both air-ships A and B are impelled jointly by said propulsion means, the transverse member d serving as a common support for both air-ships, and being movably mounted upon the tower b.

F and Gr designate respectively aeroplanes carried by the air-ship B, controlling means f and g respectively being provided for determining and maintaining the positions of said aeroplanes relative to the transverse longitudinal plane of the air-ship; to the end that the iight or normal course of travel of the air-ship may be varied by the production of virregularities of movement which, under cer-tain conditions, will be participated in bythe 'air-ship A, to a certain degree.

H designates steering means for the airship B, the same being adapted to act with or independently of the aeroplanes F and Gr, to cause variations in the course of travel of the air-ship B, with relation to that normally followed. The air-ship A may also be provided with steering means H, if desired.

K designates operative connection between the tower b and the transverse member al, and 7c designates controlling means therefor, the latter extending to the air-ship B for convenientmanipulation by a. passenger therein.v v Propulsion means E of the air-ship B are shown as comprising an electric motor e which is served with energizing current by suitable conductors accommodated by and partly incorporated in the tower or upright b and the transverse member d, all as hereinafter fully set forth.

A preferred form of construction and inter-relation'of parts, members and features shown in the drawings is as follows :--The upright or tower b may consist of a central wooden support 5 having lateral braces 5 and firmly seated at its lower end upon a base-6, and

so located as to permit the transverse mem' ber d and the air-ships suspended therefrom to be operated without interference by or permitte raises the arms 13 and saddle 15, provide for im lied trally.

with' surrounding objects. The transverse member d likewise consists of la wooden beam 6. It is manifest that a plurality of such transverse members d may .be jointly the same being joined together cento roduce radial arms for the susenslon o such sets of air-ships A and B.

his lural provision of transverse members woul constltute mere duplication of parts and is not illustrated in the drawings.

Tension rods 7 may be provided for the transverse member d, the same being connected at their inner ends' withan upright or ost 8 disposed centrally of the beam 6, andp the outer -ends of the rod 7 being connected respectively with the outer endsof said beam.

The. operative connections K between the tower b and the transverse member d include means for supporting the latterupon the former, such means comprising a universal joint Z one member of which, 9, is connected with the beam 6, and .the other member of which, 10 is connected with the upright 5. The member 10 consists of a vertical cylindrical bearing received in a suitable chamber 11 formed in a cap piece 11a secured to the upper portion of the upright 5, as by bolts 5", and having an annular flange 12 bearing upon the top of said cap piece 11a. A yoke consisting of curved arms 13 projects 'upwardl from the flange 12 and embraces the mem er 9 of the universaljoint 11, said member 9 consisting of a sphere having a lower segmental groove or chamber 14 which receives a similarly formed saddle 15 disposed between the arms 13 in a plane cutting at right angles the plane in .which lie said arms`l3. The arms 13 have each a pivotal connection with the sphere 9 at diametrically opposed points, as at 16, whereby the sphere 9 is free to swing in the plane of the saddle 15 within limits set by the dimensions, of the chamber 14 and of the saddle 15, the relative dimensions of said chamber and saddle being such as to permit the sphere 9 and the beam 6 'which rests upon the same to oscillate in opposite directions. to a predetermined degree. A plate 16 is formed upon or secured to the sphere 9, midway between the extremities ofthe chamber 14; and said plate 16 is bolted to the center portion of the beam 6 at the lower surface of the same, an insulating sheet or strip being interposed between the late and beam. The permitted Oscillation o? 13 and u on the saddle 15, together with the d rotation of the bearing 10 which both oscillation of the beam 6in a vertical plane and-rotation of said beam in a horizontal plane together with movement in combination of such oscillation and rotation. The oscillation last referred to is prevented, normally, by locking means comprising a Y the bindin the sphere 9 between the armsv bolt or pin 18 ttin a chamber 19 formed centrally of the sa dle 15 and extending within the lower portion of the sphere 9 at a point midway of the ends of the chamber 14. Said locking pin 18 is normally main-'i tained in projection within the chamber 19 by a spring 2O engaging the lower portion of the pin and accommodated within a downwardy extension of the chamber 19 within the bearing 10,i all as shown in Fig. i

3. The controll' means 7c of the operative connection K wil? be'hereinafter described in detail.

The suspension means D are utilized as one member of an felectrical path to and through the electric motor e of the propulsion means E of the air-ship B. To that end, and to insulate the metalliccable 21 which directly supports the air-ship B, from the beam 6 ,and the other parts connected therewith, I provide a tubular insulator 22 at one endl of the Cbeam 6, and extending vertically through the same. Within the insulator 22 fits a sleeve 23 provided with a central orifice 24 and having a ange 27 at its upper portion, immediately above the insulating plate 29. The conical end piece 25 is revolubly mounted among ball bearings 26 mounted in a race-wa plate 34 disposed upon the flange 29. circuit wire 30 which is loo ed along the top of the beam 6 connects wit a binding screw 31 secured to the plate 34 and flange 29; said binding screw 31 and a holding screw 32 servingto secure a protective cap 33 over the conical bearing portion 25 and the balls 26 and race-way plate 34 which confines the ball bearings to their race-way. The metallic supportin cable 21 is connected with the lower en of the conical end piece 25 and extends through the sleeve 23 to beneath the beam 6, and connected within a cylindrical insulator 35. The circuit member 30 eX- tends from the binding screw Y31 to a bind. ing post 36 which projects vertically through the center portion of the beam 6, rising from the plate 16. The upper end of the post 36`is threaded and provided with a washer V37 and a nut 38 between which one end of the circuit wire 30 is secured. An insulating ring 39 is passed over the upper end of post 36 beneath the washer 37. Through t e binding post 36, the plate 16, the metallic sphere 9, the metallic saddle 15, the metalllc ilange 12, andthe metallic cylindrical bearing 10, the circuit member 30 is electrically connected with the cap piece 11. From a suitable source of electrical supply, not shown, another circuit member or wire 40 extends to the cap piece 11Il with which it is .connected by one of the bolts 5" which bind the cap plece to the upr` ht 5. From the same source of electrica supply, another circuit wire 41 extends to an annular contact plate orarmature ring` 42 supported upon an annular fiange 43 surrounding the upper portion of the cap piece 11a; saidplate or ring 42 being insulated from the tiange 43 lby a ring 44 of suitable material. One of the arms 13 of the yoke which pivotally supports the sphere 9 is provided with' an insulating bracket 45 which supports a contact point or brush 46 `which is arranged to traverse the plate or ring 42 in the rotation of the sphere 9 and bearing 10. From the brush 46 extends a circuit wire 47 which is supported beneath the beam 6 and connects at its outer end with a terminal bracket 48 securedto the beam 6 and suitably insulated `therefrom by la sheet or strip 49. A coiledcircuit wire 5() extends from the bracket 48 to a metallic collar 51 rotatable upon the insu' lator 35 and suitablyelectrically connected .with a binding screw 52 upon an insulating collar 53 revolubly surrounding the cable `21 beneath the insulator 35 and connected therewith. An insulated circuitwire 54 extends downwardly to the air-ship B, and to the electric motor e, with which the cable 21 is also electrically connected, as shown in lFig. 2.

The controlling means I: for the operative connection-K between the tower and the transverse member d, comprise an intermediately fulcrumed lever 55 mounted beneath the'saddle 15 and projecting at one end into a transverse opening 56 in the pin 18; the other end of said lever 55 being connected by an elongated link 56 with one arm of the bell crank 57, the other arm of which is connected by a link rod 58 with a rocking lever 59; the bell crank 57 being mounted adjacent to the center portion of the beam 6, and the rocking lever 59 being mounted adjacent to the outer end of said beam, and

j both on one side of the same.

In order to protect the above-described parts against fracture in the oscillation of the beam 6, and to obviate blocking of such yoscillation,the link rod 58 Ais vformed in two sections, 58a and v58b respectively, having enlarged heads 60 playing within a sleeve 61 within which a coil spring 62is interposed between the heads 60. Forl actuating the rocking lever 59, a rod 63 is pivotally connected with one end of the same and extends beneath and normally in parallel-l ism with the link rod 58, being connected therewith by a contractile spring 64 which tends to hold a dog 65 upon the same in contact with a ratchet plate 66 mounted upon the beam 6. The spring 64 is provided with a sleeve 67 loosely fitting the rod 63. The rod 63 is directly actuated by twovflexible members or cords 68 and 69 respectively, which are respectively trained about pulleys 71 and 70, the former of which is connected with the beam 6 beneath the ratchet plate 66, and the latter of which is connected with the beam at a point between the ratchet plate 66 and the central portion of the beam 6. From the Apulleys 71 and 70 respectively the'cords 68 and 69 extend to a common pulley 72 upon the beam 6 outwardly of the rocking lever 59 whence they descend to the air-ship B into position for convenient manipulation by a passenger thereof. A plurality of Vrings 73 carried by one of the cords 68 and 69 and surrounding the other of said cords as well as the cable 21 and the circuit wire 54 serve to .confine all of saidl devices as against separation of the same, leading them to the air-ship B.

The suspension means D for the air-shlp A comprises a single cable 7 4 connected with the beam 6 at the end thereof opposite to that with which the cable 21 of the airship B is connected. The `suspension means D for both air-ships comprises also a longitudinal rail or tubular rod 75 extending above the respective air-ship body 77 and connected with the opposite sides of the body 77 thereof by pairs of .Suspenders 76;

the cable 21 of the air-ship B is' connected centrally with the rail 75, as at 7 5a and loose cords or cables 7 5" are looped from the ends of the rail 75 into connection with the cable 21, as at 75, at a point some distance above the rail 75. Each body 77 may be provided with a protective side railing or guard rail 78, and may be open at one side to permit entrance and exit of passengers to and from seats 79, such open` side portion being closed by a chain 80.

The motor e of the propulsion means E is belted, as at 81, in connection with a drive shaft 82, journaled as at 83 in the end portion of the body 77 and provided at its ends with propellers 84'.

The Steerage means H may comprise a rudder 85 arranged at the rearward end of the body 77 and connected by a flexible cable or cord 86 with an upwardly extending steering post 87 arranged at the rearward end of the body 77.

The aeroplane F is pivotally supported at its rearward end portion at the forward end of the body 77, by a hanger 88, and is rprovided with an upwardly extending arm 89 from ,the upper end of which a link rod 90 extends to a rocking lever 91 from which a link rod 92 extends to a controlling lever 93 adjacent to the steering post 87. vThe aeroplane F lies normally in a plane slightly lower than that of the bottomv of the body 77, and the link rod 90 extends rearwardly from the same beneath the bottomV of the body 77, the rocking lever 91 playing within an opening 94 in the bottom of said body.

The aeroplane Gr' is substantially centrally pivotally supported by a hanger 94 beneath the body 77 at the center portion thereof, and is provided with an upwardlylprojecting arm 95 connected by a link -rod 96 with a controlling lever 97 projecting through an opening 98 in the bottom of the body 77, and arranged adjacent to the controlling lever 93. Both aeroplanes lie normally in horizontal planes or planes parallel with the bottom 77 and may be manipulated by their controllingy levers 93 and 97 so as to vary the angle of incidence of the air 'thereupon, during the flight of the air-ship B to cause the dip and rise of the air-ship and the oscillation of the beam 6, vcausing resultantly the dip and rise of the air-ship A which is shown as not provided with the aeroplanes nor with the propulsion means The air-ship A may, however, be vprovided with steering means H.

The o ration, method of luse and advantages o the improvements in.' captive airshilp mechanism constituting the invention Wi be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in'connection with the accompanying drawings and the following statement: The air-ships having recelved their passengers, one or both of the same, the propulsion-I means E. are set in motion through energlzation of the electric motor e, which is supplied with current through the circuit wire 54 and the metallic suspension cable 2l, the same being respectively served with current through the circuit wire 47 and the circuit wire 30, and the intermediate electrical connections above de-l scribed. The circuit wire 47 is connected with the source of supply by the brush 46, ring 42, and circuit w1re 41'; and the circuit wlre 30 1 is supplied with current through the post 36, the sphere 9, the saddle 15, the bearing 10, the cap piece llaand the circuit wire 40. The conical end piece 25 freely turns upon the ball bearings 26 at the end of the beam 6. A's the air-ships revolve about' the tower b, the aeroplanes F and G may be mani ulated by the controlling levers 93 and 9 respectively,to cause the airship B to dip and rise, the locking pin 18 having been released from the sphere 9 through the instrumentality of the rocking lever 59, and the cord or cable 69. The pin v18 is maintained in depressed position by the dog and ratchet 66. When it is desired to again lock the sphere in fixed position of rotation, so that the transverse member d will rotate in a horizontal plane, the cord or cable 68 is manipulated to disengage the dog 65 from its Vadvanced position on the'ratchet 66, and the rockin lever 59 is restored to the position. clearry shown in Fig. 3 in the drawings, the dog 65 again engaging with the ratchet, and the pin 18 bemg engaged with the sphere 9 through the intermediate parts, including the lever 55 and bell'crank 57. The rudder 85 -in each car A and B may be manipulated to supplement the action of the aeroplanes, in

. ing

deiiecting the air-shi s from a regular circular course of travel). 'A

I do not desire to be understood aslimiting'myself to the specific construction and arrangement of parts and features shown and described; but reserve the right to vary the same, in adapting the improvements to varying-conditions of use, wlthout de artfrom the spirit of the invention an the terms of the following claims.

Havin thus descr1bed my invention, I claim angl 'desire to secure by Letters Patent:--

1. A plurality of jointly movably mounted air-ship bodies, propulslon means for the Vsame mounted upon one of the same, means confining the air-ship bodies to a normal course of travel, and means acting directly upon one of the air-ship bodies for varying the course of travel of both of the same.

2. A plurality of ointly movably mounted air-ship bodies, propulsion means for the same mounted upon one of the same, means confining lthe air-ship bodies to a normal course of travel, and means acting directly upon one of the air-ship bodies for varying the course of travel oi both of the same;

:sor

said means comprising an aeroplane, and v controlling means for adjusting the same.

3. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted thereupon and capable of oscillation in a plane at an angle withthe plane of rotation thereof, means for locking said. transverse member against oscillation, an airship body connected with said transverse member, and propulsion means for said air-'ship body.

4. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted thereupon and capable of osclllation in a plane at an angle withthe plane of rotation thereof, means locking the transverse member against oscillation, an air-ship body connected with the transverse member, means for pro elling 'the air-ship body, and means exten ing to the air-ship body controlling said means for locking said transverse member against oscillation.

\5. An upright support, a transverse member. rotatably. mounted thereupon and capable of osclllation in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, a plurallty of air-ship bodies connected with said transverse member, propulsion means for one of said air-ship bodies, means for locking said transverse member against oscillation, and controlling means for said locking means extending to an air-ship body.

6. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted upon said upright support and capable of oscillation in a plane u, at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, an air-ship body connected with said transverse member, propulsion .means for-said air-ship body whereby the same is operated ed in a chamber in said in` a normal course ofY travel, and means mounted upon said air-ship body for causing the oscillation of said transverse member and the dip and rise of said air-ship body.

7. An upright support, a transverse niember rotatably mounted upon said upright supportY and capable oiY oscillation in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, an air-ship body connected with said transverse member', propulsion means for said air-ship body whereby the: same is operated in a normal course of travel, and means mounted upon said airsship body `for causing the oscillation of said transverse member and the dip and rise of said air-ship body; said latter means comprising an aeroplane', andgmean's for adjusting the aeroplane under the control of an occupant of the air-ship body.

8. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted thereupon and capable of oscillation in a plane at an angle with the plane of rotation thereof, an air-ship body connected with said `transverse mem- Y ber, and propulsion means for said air-ship body; there being operative connections between said upright supportand said transverse member comprising a bearing rotatable uponsaid upright member and provided with a yoke, a sphere connected with said transverse member and pivotally supported by said yoke, and a guide connected with said bearin and entering aV curved channel in said sp ere..

9. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted thereupon andy capable of oscillation in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, an air-ship body connected with said transverse member propulsion means for said air-ship body, and operative connections between said up,- right support and said transverse member; said operative connection comprising a bearing mounted upon said upright support and provided with a yoke, a sphere connected with said transverse member and pivotally supported by said yoke, a guide connected with said bearin and entering a curved channel in said sp ere,

for causing said Ipin to enter and withdraw a locking pin mount-` bearing, and means means extending to from a chamber in said'sphere; said latter. means extending to said air-ship body for control by an occupant thereof.

10. An upright support,atransverse member rotatably mounted thereupon and capable of oscillation in a plane at an angle to the plane of rotation thereof, an air-ship( body connected with said transverse member propulsion means for said air-ship body, and operative connection between said upf right support and said transverse member; said operative connection comprising a bearing mounted upon said upright support and provided with a yoke, a sphere connected with said transverse member and pivotally supported by said yoke, a guide connected with said bearin and entering a curved channel in said sp ere, a locking pin mount ed in a chamber in said bearing, and means for causing said pin to enter and withdraw from a chamber in said sphere; said latter control by an occupant thereof and comprising a rocking lever, a spring controlled rod connected with said rocking lever and provided with a dog, a ratchet plate said dog co-acts, operative connection betweensaid lockin pin and said rocking le-V ver, and a pair o opfpositely actingr flexible members extending om said spring vcontrolled rod to said airship body. I Y A f 11. An upright support, a transverse member rotatably mounted thereupon, an airship bod air-ship boI y verse member, said upright support member, propulsion means for said air-ship' is suspended from said.

body consisting in part of an electric motor,

and two inde endent electrical paths extendtrical sion ca tween said upright support verse member.

In testimony paths including said metallic s uspen:- le and said operative connection bewhereof, I have signed my and said trans- 'lol said air-ship body for with which a metallic cable whereby said A tra-lijst Y, operative connection betweenl and said transverse 'p 'in to said e ectric motor; one of saidelec-' name to this specification in the presence of V witnesses. 4 T C. DE YBARRONDO. j

two subscribin VINCE Witnesses:

RAYMOND S. BLAKESLEE, Faun A. MANsrninD.y 4 

